The govt is currently hosting a big international anti-tobacco conference so they had to issue some kind of statement. 2020 is pretty remote. A lot of restaurants have already gone non-smoking but Korea is & will remain a relative haven for smokers for a good while yet.

Smoking is possible in many countries in Europe and all sorts of public places. I wouldn't say the German, Spanish, French, Polish, Austrian etc politicians are useless, they perform the task of puppets of the banks with admiral doggedness.

Of course the prohibition of smoking in restaurants and pubs is possible. These laws are enacted and enforced across most of North America. Now it's second nature. I never see smokers even thinking of lighting up in a pub or restaurant back home.

Unfortunately, this is Korea which lacks four basic elements for this to be effective.

- enforcement by the restaurant or pub
- enforcement by the police
- a sense of civic responsibility
- an understanding that rules apply to everyone (including you ajoshi)

Not going to happen here. How's the law against motorcycles on Seoul's sidewalks progressing? Wasn't that enacted four years ago.

Korea has been going a weird direction with banning smoking..
Total prohibition in various outside areas like some parks and beaches.. which even I as a militant born again non-smoker find a bit excessive.. But not following other countries (for a long time it seems) in a ban at all eateries and bars.. daft..

I think if it was enacted it would be followed and enforced..I can see Koreans making complaints to staff against rule breaking smokers (no confrontation needed) - they can't really do the same with a pavement motorcyclists unless they chase them and confront them directly..

Taking all the fun out of kalbi dinners and bar jaunts. I don't mind the restaurants so much but the bars will sting smoker/drinker folks bad. I'd prefer they simply encouraged bars to go non-smoking (tax break, requiring a license to permit smoking, something like that) and let places choose.

If smoking was only harmful to the person smoking, then this law would be stupid, but sense there are others who like to have a drink without having to inhale smoke all night then I think it is a good thing. Having to wash my coat after going to a bar is annoying too.

Unfortunately, this is Korea which lacks four basic elements for this to be effective.

- enforcement by the restaurant or pub
- enforcement by the police
- a sense of civic responsibility
- an understanding that rules apply to everyone (including you ajoshi)

Thankfully I can go back home to a land where citizens follow the government's orders regarding ordinances and regulations. And a non-corrupt, non-brutal, non-biased against minorities police force that isn't in the pocket of the prison-industrial complex.